Air Bag Software Bug Leads GM to Recall 4.3M Vehicles

A bug in air bag software led General Motors to recall about 4.3 million vehicles manufactured from 2014 through 2017.

“In the affected vehicles, certain driving conditions may cause the air bag sensing and diagnostic module (SDM) software to activate a diagnostic test. During this test, deployment of the frontal air bags and the seat belt pretensioners would not occur in the event of a crash,” according to a National Highway Highway Traffic Safety Administration announcement.

A Reuters report said the flaw has been linked to one death and three injuries.

The models recalled include:

• 2015-2017 Chevrolet Silverado 2500 HD, 3500 HD, Tahoe, Suburban, GMC Sierra 2500 HD and 3500 HD, GMC Yukon, GMC Yukon XL, Cadillac Escalade and Cadillac Escalade ESV vehicles.
• 2014-2017 Chevrolet Corvette, Silverado 1500, Trax, Caprice Police Pursuit Vehicle, GMC Sierra 1500, Buick Encore.
• 2014-2016 Buick Lacrosse, Chevrolet Spark EV and SS vehicles

GM will “reflash” the SDM software free of charge. Owners can see if their cars are included in the recall here.